Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi have officially launched a regional survey to assess the abundance and distribution of fish in Lake Tanganyika.
The exercise aims to provide accurate data on fish stocks in the lake and guide sustainable fisheries management.
Speaking at the launch event in Kigoma today, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Edwin Mhede, said the government directed the survey to determine the quantity and distribution of fish species in Lake Tanganyika.
He emphasized that the study will also provide precise statistics on fish stocks, which will be crucial for planning and investment.
“This survey will focus on key fisheries such as clupeids, dagaa, and other pelagic fish species. The results will support data-driven investments and attract potential investors,” Dr. Mhede said.
He further noted that the survey is not merely for reporting purposes but will serve as evidence to inform policy decisions, including strategies for lake conservation, resource management, and sustainable utilization.
The Ministry has prepared sufficient experts to ensure the research is successfully completed.
Director of Fisheries at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof. Mohamed Sheikh, highlighted that a similar survey conducted in the 1990s indicated fish stocks at 303,645 tonnes.
However, population growth, climate change, and increased fishing pressure have since contributed to declining stocks.
Prof. Sheikh added that there has been no comprehensive regional assessment since then. In 1995, Tanzania’s estimated catch was 157,493 tonnes, which dropped to 144,690 tonnes in 2022, and further to 84,094 tonnes in a recent survey conducted by the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI).
He stressed that the current survey will help determine the actual number of fish in the lake and guide robust fisheries management strategies to ensure sustainability.
TAFIRI Director General, Dr. Ismael Kimerei, said the researchers underwent ten days of training, including equipment calibration and survey planning.
The trained experts are scheduled to depart for Burundi tomorrow to commence the field survey.
Dr. Kimerei emphasized that the study is crucial for updating fish stock data and distribution patterns in Lake Tanganyika.
It will enable the governments of the lake basin countries, through their respective fisheries ministries, to develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable management of the lake’s fisheries resources.
